Fenerbahçe aims to bounce back in Süper Lig

ISTANBUL

(AA photo)

Fenerbahçe looks to steady its domestic campaign on Aug. 22 when it hosts Konyaspor, aiming to bounce back from a disappointing opening-weekend setback in the Süper Lig.

The Istanbul club suffered a 2-1 defeat at Gençlerbirliği in its league opener, placing early pressure on the club ahead of its first domestic home fixture of the season. Sandwiched between a midweek 1-1 draw against Olympic Lyon in Champions League playoffs and Aug. 26’s return leg, Fenerbahçe turns its attention to a Konyaspor side that also dropped its opener, falling 1-0 at home to Rizespor.

Aug. 22’s slate features three additional fixtures across Türkiye. League newcomer Çorum plays host to Kasımpaşa, while Rizespor welcomes Samsunspor following a thriller in Week 1 where Samsunspor drew 3-3 against Göztepe.

The action continues into Aug. 23 with headline matchups.

Trabzonspor returns home seeking its first Süper Lig win of the season following a 1-1 draw away at Kasımpaşa.

The Black Sea club looks to regroup following a 1-0 home setback against Ferencvaros in a Europa League playoff clash on Aug. 20, a match in which defender Chibuike Nwaiwu received a late red card.

“One disappointment tonight is obviously the score, and the other is Chibuike getting sent off,” Trabzonspor coach Fatih Tekke said after the match.

“It was a match where we created plenty of chances, if we could have scored, we might have secured an advantageous result. I can say that all of our players, everyone who played or came off the bench, gave their absolute best.”

Tekke still eyes a spot in the Europa League.

“I think the performance gave everyone the feeling that we will get better,” he said.

“They hold the advantage in the tie now, but as Trabzonspor, we will go there to win and qualify for the Europa League.”

Trabzonspor’s attack, featuring Mohamed Salah and Paul Onuachu, will attempt to break down a Başakşehir side that opened its season with a convincing performance to take an early position near the top of the table.

Also on Aug. 23, Beşiktaş travels to Alanya riding momentum from consecutive clean-sheet victories. The club opened its domestic campaign with a 1-0 victory over Eyüpspor before dominant play in European competition, securing a 3-0 victory against Lithuanian outfit Zalgiris Kaunoas in Europa League playoff action on Aug. 20.

Forward Oh Hyeon-gyu and midfielder Orkun Kökçü both scored in midweek play, leading an attack that has generated consistent pressure. Beşiktaş coach Vizncenzo Italiano’s options remain deep upfront with Dusan Vlahovic available in rotation as the club navigates a congested August schedule.

Host Alanyaspor aims to leverage home-field advantage to secure its first victory of the new league season.

The second round of Süper Lig fixtures wraps up on Aug. 24 night when Kocaelispor hosts Amed.